Great Seal
Official state symbol
The Great Seal is an official emblem used to authenticate documents of state.
Most commonly refers to the Great Seal of the United States, featuring an eagle on one side and an unfinished pyramid with an eye on the other—imagery familiar from the dollar bill.
Countries, states, and other jurisdictions maintain their own great seals: The document bore the Great Seal of California.
Hereditary symbolic emblem
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- heraldryStudy of armorial bearings
- crestHighest point or tuft
- escutcheonShield bearing heraldry
eagle · shield · motto · olive branch · arrows · pyramid · obverse · reverse
Sovereign political territory
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- dominionAuthority to rule
- governanceHow authority is exercised
statehood · independence · legitimacy · recognition · diplomacy · foreign affairs · treaty · ratification
Effect on the mind
- waxPliable waterproof substance
- embossmentRaised decorative projection
- signetEngraved personal seal
- stampMark-making device
matrix · die · engraving · certification · validation · verification · authenticity · legitimacy
Founding organizational document
- proclamationFormal public announcement
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- treatyBinding pact between nations
- ratificationFormal approval by authority
commission · patent · credential · parchment · vellum · engrossment · official papers · compact
coat of arms
Hereditary symbolic emblem
escutcheon · eagle · shield · motto · olive branch · arrows · pyramid · obverse · reverse · blazon
nation-state
Sovereign political territory
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- dominionAuthority to rule
governance · statehood · independence · legitimacy · recognition · diplomacy · foreign affairs · treaty · ratification · executive power
impression
Effect on the mind
- waxPliable waterproof substance
- embossmentRaised decorative projection
- signetEngraved personal seal
stamp · matrix · die · engraving · certification · validation · verification · authenticity · legitimacy · provenance
charter
Founding organizational document
- proclamationFormal public announcement
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- treatyBinding pact between nations
ratification · commission · patent · credential · parchment · vellum · engrossment · official papers · compact · accord
Great Sealforgery
Creating fraudulent imitations
rubber stamp · personal seal · postage stamp · notary stamp · date stamp
great, seal, greater, greatest, greatly, greatness, seals, sealed, sealing